Care Campus Provides Valuable Refuge For Homeless During Cold Spell

The current cold spell has held for over the last month, and conditions have been dangerous for Rapid City’s homeless population, reports KOTA Territory News. However, the Pennington County Care Campus has been able to provide safety for many during the inclement weather.

At least three individuals in Rapid City died last winter due to the cold conditions, and law enforcement says that increased resources, like the Care Campus, have helped to combat that danger this year. Chief Deputy Willie Whelchel with the Pennington County Sheriff's Office said that the Care Center, which opened in September of 2018, has been able to provide safety for homeless individuals this winter.

Since its opening, the Care Campus’ Safe Solutions area has hosted over 6,200 people. Eighty percent of those hosted admitted themselves. Safe Solutions, while designed originally to addressed impaired or intoxicated individuals, has also proved welcoming for those needing a warm place to spend the night.

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